Protesting wrestlers deny seeking exemption from trials, vows to quit if proved
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New Delhi: The protesting wrestlers, who were facing opposition from other grapplers for obtaining an exemption from the Asian Games trials, denied asking the IOA ad-hoc panel for such a favour on Saturday and swore to give up wrestling if it were to be proven.
Olympic bronze medalist Yogeshwar Dutt from London had questioned the decision of the ad hoc panel on Friday, wondering if these wrestlers were protesting against the departing WFI president to obtain such favours.
"We did not ask for exemption from trials, just asked for time to prepare," said Sakshi after going live on social media.
"If you had problems with one-bout trial, you should have gone to the sports minister. But you chose to spread poison through social media," Bajrang said.
"We are ready to quit wrestling if it is proved that we asked for exemption. We never wrote any letter for exemption."
It was first reported by PTI on Thursday that six protesting wrestlers -- the trio, Bajrang's wife Sangeeta Phogat, Sakshi's husband Satywart Kadian and Jitender Kinha -- will have to win just one bout against the winner of stage-one trials to be on the Indian team for the Asian Games and World Championships.
The wrestlers also vowed to continue their fight.
"We will continue our fight till Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is punished, we are waiting for chargesheet," Vinesh said.
Sakshi, Bajrang and Vinesh Phogat have been demanding the arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing women wrestlers.